Ill 



NOMENCLATURE 



AT first, plant nomenclature, or the name classifi- 

 cation of plants, may appear a staggering prop- 

 osition — but do not be discouraged. It is not half so 

 bad really as it looks, nor as it sounds when one is 

 beginning. And your enjoyment of every grow- 

 ing thing will be very much keener if you make its 

 acquaintance under its own true name instead of 

 under some dubious nickname which may or may 

 not fit. 



The true botanical name of a plant has been 

 bestowed upon it for some definite reason, by those 

 who knew what they were about. It fits — and it 

 means something. Learn it; pronounce it in sec- 

 tions, just the way it is spelled; nine times out of 

 ten you will have it right — and the tenth time is not 

 going to matter. 



Of course no one in his right mind will speak of 

 familiar flowers under their Latin names in ordinary 

 conversation. We shall not gather armfuls of solidago 

 Canadensis when we pick goldenrod, nor exclaim at 

 the fragrance of Hemerocallis when the old day lilies 

 are in bloom. That is not why one is urged to- learn 



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